Growers, packers and producers of cucumber, watermelon and sweetpotato established the Vegetable Pathology Support Endowment on behalf of Dr. Lina Quesada’s vegetable pathology lab at NC State University through Pickle Packers International, Inc. in 2022.
Author: cuccap
Pest management in watermelon
Fumigation is the process of releasing fumigants to suffocate and kill certain pests within the soil. These include soil-borne pests, weeds and nematodes.
December 2022 South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline
Whitefly populations are building in southwest Florida and have reached high levels in some locations. In Homestead, whiteflies are present in squash, cucumber, and watermelon. In Homestead melonworms are being found in squash, cucumber, and watermelon.
Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative call for papers
Send your 2022-2023 report or manuscript to Amnon Levi (amnon.levi@usda.gov) by February 28th, 2023.
CucCAP scientists genetically map novel sources of resistance to cucurbit downy mildew in watermelon
Watermelon crops are increasingly threatened by infection by cucurbit downy mildew. While there are limited sources of disease resistance within cultivated watermelon, Citrullus amarus can be a valuable source of resistances. CucCAP scientists performed disease resistance screening and whole genome resequencing of 122 C. amarus accessions. Genome wide association analysis of these materials identified several marker-trait associations and candidate genes, providing potential resources for genomics-assisted breeding for resistance to CDM in watermelon.
Early Career Scientist Spotlight | Mariana Prieto Torres
Mariana Prieto Torres is a graduate student in the Vegetable Pathology Lab at NC State University and is working on a PhD under the guidance of her major professor, Dr. Lina Quesada
Protect Against Gummy Stem Blight
It is never too early for watermelon producers in the Southeast to start thinking about management options for gummy stem blight disease. As Clemson Extension vegetable pathologist Tony Keinath puts it, “Early is on time.”
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline scouting report for November 22, 2022 including updates on Whiteflies, Aphids, Viruses,
Gummy Stem Blight, and Oomycete Diseases.
